DoT vows to strengthen accreditation of Boracay tourism establishments

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

 

The Department of Tourism (DoT) in the region has vowed to strengthen the accreditation of tourism establishments and frontline services in Boracay Island.

Tourism regional director Atty. Helen Catalbas said the island-resort has the most number of tourism establishments in Western Visayas, numbering about 1,000.

“May pinakamaraming DoT accredited establishments din ang Boracay that includes souvenir shops, resorts, travel agencies, dive shops, transport groups, hotels,” she said.

The accreditation of tourism establishments should also be ready and aligned with international standards for the Asean integration by 2015. 

“Kailangan certified na international standards tayo through the DoT. We have to strengthen also our frontline services like the tour guides na nag-offer ng tourism services or water-sports activities,” she stressed.

Catalbas said tourism stakeholders should be “moving in one direction, co-equal with the rest” in addressing the perennial problems of Boracay. 

Boracay, a northern island off the province of Aklan, is a world-class destination, highly developed in some portions but the problems being faced are comparable to ‘third-world’ countries.

Catalbas said the national government is coordinating with the agencies and the LGUs for the implementation of tourism projects and infrastructure to address the issues in Boracay. 

With the transfer of Boracay officer-in-charge Tim Ticar in DoT regional office this August, the agency will further strengthen also the linkages with the local government units, private sector and the barangays. 

Catalbas said “there will be continuity of the tourism services or the goals and policies set by DoT despite the transfer of Ticar.”